'Taboo' porn addict gets jail, therapy

State

An Albemarle County man who viewed child pornography as part of a porn addiction will serve three months in jail and receive therapy.

Circuit Judge Paul M. Peatross Jr. sentenced John Jeffrey Leonard on Thursday to five years in prison each on 10 counts of possession of child pornography, suspending all but three months.

During the second half of Leonard's sentencing hearing in Albemarle Circuit Court, a local forensic psychologist who has evaluated Leonard testified that Leonard doesn't have a "measurable sexual interest" in children, as determined by a test. Dr. Jeffrey C. Fracher said Leonard viewing child pornography had to do with viewing "more and more bizarre and taboo" images to stave off boredom.

"It seemed more related to his need to up the ante," Fracher testified.

Witnesses testified that Leonard used pornography and alcohol to self-medicate his depression.

Authorities said the images appeared to be of children over 13 and at least one image involved a sexual act. According to court records, Leonard was arrested in August in connection with the images. Authorities executed a search warrant at his home.

Leonard's supporters, some of whom testified on his behalf during the first half of his sentencing hearing April 21, filled the rows of the county's smaller upstairs courtroom. Witnesses previously testified that Leonard has been open about what happened and has sought help for his problems.

The sentencing guidelines in the case called for a sentence between three months and six months. Defense attorney Rhonda Quagliana said in court that her client has no criminal history.

Elliot Casey, assistant commonwealth's attorney, did not recommend a specific sentence. Casey said in court that authorities are trying to halt the child pornography market from both ends — supply and demand.

"The defendant is purely on the demand side of a market that is quite cruel to children," he said in court.

Quagliana said in court that her client has held himself accountable, kept an open line of communication with people in his life and actively sought treatment for depression. "He certainly will never ever cross that line and look at this material again," she said in court.

Prior to being sentenced, Leonard said he is ashamed and acknowledged the burden he placed on his loved ones and church community. He apologized and said counseling has been helpful.

"I know this is my chance to overcome something I've had problems with in my life," Leonard said.